Cougars fall to Wolverines in semifinals

Aliso Niguel Lauren Miller (23) and Capistrano Valley Kaylee Karsh (19) battle for the ball during the first half of the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

MISSION VIEJO Another improbable finish helped the Aliso Niguel girls' soccer team successfully navigate their way back to the CIF-SS Division 1 championship match.

Senior Lindsay Doyle recorded the match-winning goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, as the Wolverines rallied to defeat the Capistrano Valley Cougars 3-2 in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals Tuesday at Capistrano Valley High.

"We battled back and I can't say enough about the kids," Wolverines coach Randy Dodge said. "This is a team of legacy that can make a name for themselves this weekend."

Aliso Niguel (13-3-6) snapped Capistrano Valley's (19-2-3) unbeaten streak at 21 and prevented the Cougars from advancing to the Division 1 title match for the first time since 2004.

"The girls left everything out there on the field and should be proud of what they accomplished," Cougars coach Neil Powell said. "Credit to Aliso, they have a game plan that they stick to and execute."

The Wolverines will face Chaminade of West Hills for the Division 1 title this weekend. The Eagles advanced past Harvard-Westlake 3-2 in penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 1-1 tie.

The time and location of the match will be announced on Wednesday.

Capistrano Valley took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute, as senior Samantha Celani blasted a shot from the box over the left shoulder of Wolverines senior goalie Riley Sims and into the far upper post corner of the goal.

The Wolverines tied the match in the 37th minute. After Cougars junior goalie Aubrie Coley batted a shot attempt off the crossbar, sophomore Lauren Miller fished out the rebound in heavy traffic in front of the goal and knocked the ball over the goal line.

Aliso Niguel took a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. Freshman Myranda Baca got to a loose ball and blasted a shot from outside of 30 yards toward the goal. Coley managed to get a piece of the ball, but it bounced over the goal line.

The Cougars answered with the match-tying goal in the 63rd minute, as senior Alex Hussar sent a pass to Celani, who slipped a shot to the right of Sims and into the near post corner of the goal.

The decisive play of the match came in the 77th minute. After a Cougars foul, sophomore Sarah Roberts lined a free kick toward the goal. Among a jumbled group of players, Doyle redirected the ball with her knee past Coley and into the back of the net.

"We have practiced a lot of those balls that spin and hook around the wall," Roberts said. "I'm so grateful for my team because we battled out there.

Dodge said that he is looking forward to this year's team creating their own identity and successfully completing their year-long mission of winning another CIF title.

"This is a new group of players and I want them to taste it and represent our city," Dodge said. "We're going fight and not give up anything."

Aliso Niguel Lauren Miller (23) and Capistrano Valley Kaylee Karsh (19) battle for the ball during the first half of the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel makes a goal against Capistrano Valley tying the score 1-1 during the first in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley Kaitlin Calabuig (6) and Aliso Niguel Breanne Chilton-Eddy battle for the ball during the second half in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Alex Hussar (24) takes control of the ball against Aliso Niguel Stephanie Domingue (7) during the second half of the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel celebrate after making a second goal against Capistrano Valley scoring 2-1 as Capistrano Alex Hussar (24) questions the referee during the second half in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel Tatum Smith takes control of the ball against Capistrano Valley during the second half of the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley Mei-Te Coco (20) and Aliso Niguel Nicole Smolinski (6) battle for the ball during the second half of the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley fans cheer for the girls soccer team going against Aliso Niguel during the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley fans chant "defense" for their team going against Aliso Niguel during the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel cheer after their team scored a goal against Capistrano Valley during the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel fans Kayla Ziegler, from left, Julianne Vu, Genevieve Segura, and Amanda Palucki pose after the game against Capistrano Valley for the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Aliso Niguel fans Jake Sandblom, from left, Brett Moshenko, Matthew Hunter, and Camron Farrokhnia pose after the game against Capistrano Valley for the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

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